How better to summarize two halves today?
The opening half, particularly the opening ten, was about as bad a game as United have played in longer than I care to remember. Not since their home thrashing at the hands of City (if you dare to remember that ominous day) has United looked so absolutely outclassed and lost on the pitch. The second half was a completely different story. United got into their tempo and controlled the ball for long stretches. But the end result wasn’t to change and, if I am to be frank in my honesty, even the “improved” product on the pitch left much to be desired.
Ultimately, United went on to lose 3-0 and their frailties at the back, which I’ve been on about since weeks before the end of the transfer window, were plainly obvious even the most casual of fans. Blame can be applied to players and manager alike. Both were outclassed by their counterparts.
From the opening whistle, Arsenal were keen to pressure United up top and United soon found themselves in a state of desperation. Metaphorically speaking, a boxer on the ropes covering up in hopes that the knock-out blow would fail to land. With Carrick and Schweinsteiger tracking back in support, the Gunners were given space in the midfield and allowed to make runs coupled with intelligent passing. A blind man could have seen the end result coming a mile away.With a hunger for goal and a United back four splitting their time between ball watching and aimlessly chasing about; the eighth minute would see Arsenal go ahead.
Not satisfied with a one goal advantage, Arsenal would double their lead less than a minute later with United’s back half still reeling and doing nothing to temper the onslaught. Essentially, the game was over as soon as it had begun. Any fleeting hope that a change in tactics or the like may sway the result was snuffed out with a brilliant goal from Alexis Sanchez to complete his brace just shy of 30 minutes in.
From this point on, United began to come around while still conceding chances and looks on goal for Arsenal. Opening the second half with two changes, one saw Antonio Valencia replace Matteo Darmian, who seemed to struggle immensely with Sanchez’s pace – his first real signs of weakness since his summer arrival. The other saw Fellaini come on for Memphis, who struggled to do much with the ball on his very few touches.
As the second half progressed, the typical midfield possession game of United took centre stage, no pun intended, and couldn’t change the game’s outcome. For all their efforts, the attacking third’s opportunities were wasteful and often didn’t test Petr Cech. Even with the lion’s share of possession, United’s attacking players paled in comparison to that of Arsenal’s during the opening phases of the game. It was reminiscent of previous displays where the final touch seemed hard to come by despite their attacking prowess… At least on paper.
Much will need to be done if United wish to avoid a consecutive defeat at Goodison Park in two week’s time. With limited opportunity to prepare following the imminent international break, van Gaal’s side face a quality Everton side who have the ability to punish United if this form should continue. Things won’t get any easier as United travel to Moscow for their away fixture to CSKA Moscow in their Champions League tie before returning home to host a resurgent City.
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